PATAGONIAN HIGHLIGHTS

Day 1
Depart London.

Day 2
Our local leader will meet us today for a briefing and take us on a short walking tour of the city, discovering its wealth of history and culture. The evening is free to choose one of the many excellent restaurants, most serving the legendary Argentine steaks!

Day 3
This morning we fly from the city airport to El Calafate and transfer to the small mountain town of El Chaltén. The town enjoys a beautiful location in Los Glaciares National Park with breathtaking views of Mount Fitzroy and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.

Day 4
Incredible mountains and valleys abound on our daywalk. We hike first to Cerro Fitzroy base camp with amazing views of the striking massif ahead. In the afternoon we continue to the picturesque Laguna de los Tres, a stunning glacial lake whose still waters reflect the three main peaks of the range. This is a full day walk over fairly rough terrain, but the rugged scenery along the way makes it well worth the effort.

Day 5
The morning is free to relax, take an additional trek or an optional boat trip to another highlight of this area: the Viedma Glacier. In the afternoon we take the public bus to El Calafate

Day 6
We will leave El Calafate this morning for a full day trip to Perito Moreno Glacier. This immense jagged sheet of ice stretches over 3 miles across Lake Argentino and rises 200 ft out if its cold waters. It is the fastest moving glacier on the planet and the eerie creaks and thunderous groans add a certain atmosphere of anticipation: every so often an office block sized chunk of ice calves from its face into the water below before slowly floating down the lake as a giant iceberg. An optional boat trip gives an even greater appreciation of the immense scale of this wonder and a hike on the glistening surface is truly an unforgettable experience.

Day 7
We will spend a second day here to allow exploration of the surroundings. It is possible to take gentle walks along the lake or slightly more demanding hikes for some fantastic views stretching over the Patagonian Steppe and towards the mountainous border with Chile. Horse riding and biking are also possible, or there is a boat trip within the national park to see the Upsala, Spegazzini and Onelli glaciers.

Day 8
A long drive across the border into Chile today before we arrive in one of the world's most beautiful national parks. We may have time after we check into our refugio (mountain lodge) for a short walk next to Laguna Amarga or Laguna Azul, which offer great panoramic views of the Paine massif and the striking granite Horns of Paine.

Day 9
Without a doubt, one of the biggest highlights of the park is to hike up to the base of the Towers of Paine. The walk itself is beautiful, trekking through forests and offering some fantastic views across the park. Although not a difficult trek, some fitness is required and the last few feet can be a bit of a scramble. The reward on reaching the small lake at the base of these sheer granite peaks however, far outweighs the effort involved.

Day 10
Today we will see the main highlights of the park as we drive from our lodgings towards the Park Administration buildings at Rio Serrano. The granite Horns are the most recognisable feature of the park, and can be seen from various viewpoints, and we will also stop close to Lake Nordenskjold and Lake Pehoé, as well as at the two waterfalls of Salto Grande and Salto Chico. In the afternoon we will drive to Punta Arenas, a coastal town with a rich maritime history.

Day 11
Leaving the mainland behind we take a ferry across the Magellan Straits to the island of Tierra del Fuego. The Land of Fire is so called as the original inhabitants lit many bonfires to ward off the winter chill – even to the extent of carrying fires with them in their wooden canoes! If we are lucky, we may even see dolphins as we cross the Straits. We continue by bus across the island with some beautiful views as we cross the most southerly part of the Andes and catch our first glimpses of Ushuaia at the end of the world! This is a long driving day on a public bus, but the ever-changing scenery along the way will help the journey fly by.

Day 12
A morning spent walking in Tierra del Fuego National Park awaits us today. We will visit several different areas of this stark wilderness for a series of short walks which will highlight its varied terrain, flora and fauna. In the afternoon, there is an optional boat ride along the Beagle Channel to see marine wildlife including penguins, sea lions and many species of water bird including a flightless duck! We are also afforded fantastic views of Ushuaia and its backdrop of often snow-capped peaks as we head out on the boat.

For those wanting more adventure or not wishing to trek, an optional full-day 4WD excursion will be on offer which will take us deep into the wilds of Tierra del Fuego where any more conventional transport would fail to reach, including the remote Lakes Fagnano and Escondido (please note it is not possible to see penguins on this tour).

Day 13
This morning is free to explore the city and its surroundings. There are great views from the hills leading up to the Martial Glacier, or a visit to the fascinating museum housed in the former prison is also highly recommended.

This afternoon we fly back to Buenos Aires where in the evening we have the optional opportunity to visit one of the excellent tango shows in the old quarter of San Telmo and enjoy a last group meal together

Day 14
Another chance to see more of this great city. After last night's tango show we might be tempted to learn a few steps, or watch it in the streets and plazas - particularly in the old quarter of San Telmo. A visit to grave of Evita in the remarkable Recoleta Cemetery (said to be the most expensive real estate in the world!) is possible as is a trip to the colourful El Caminito, a multicoloured street in the Italian port area of La Boca. For theatre lovers, the opera house offers great tours and many a bargain can be had in the modern shopping streets around the centre. Those on group flights will leave this afternoon for the flight back to London.

Day 15
Arrive London